MATTHEW 25:29
“...To
those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will
have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away...” (Matthew 25:29 NLT).
“...Then he
ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten
bags of silver...” (Matthew 25:28 NLT).
“...To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be
given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not
listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them...”
(Matthew 13:12 NLT).
“...To
those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for
those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them...” (Mark 13:12 NLT).
“..So pay
attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more
understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what
they think they understand will be taken away from them...”
(Luke 8:18 NLT).
“...He cuts off every branch
of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear
fruit so they will produce even more...” (John 15:2 NLT).
***
The REDEEMED are GIVEN gifts
and talents EMPOWERED by the indwelling GIFT of the Holy Spirit. “…I can do
ALL THINGS through Christ (by depending upon Christ) which strengtheneth me …” (Philippians
4:13 KJV). They CAN DO whatever they have been CALLED
and GIFTED to DO!!
The redeemed can choose to trust
in and DEPEND UPON the indwelling Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower them to use
their gifts and talents. HOW? “…God …works in ...[them]...
TO WILL and TO ACT in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
“…God … equip[s the
redeemed] ...with everything good for doing his will …”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…Now
may … God … work [within the
redeemed].... what is pleasing to
him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…The Father
that dwelleth in ... [the redeemed] ... he
doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…He helps ... [the redeemed]…” (Psalms
28:7 NLT). “... [God’s indwelling] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“...Then the servant with the one bag of silver
came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you
didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid
I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money
back...’” (Matthew 25:25-26 NLT).
The servant, with one talent, thought the
multiplication of that ONE talent was solely dependent upon self-effort. He did
NOT trust in and depend upon God’s POWER, nor did he cooperate with God’s WORD. “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ (by depending upon
Christ) which
strengtheneth me …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…Apart
from Me (GOD), you can do nothing…”
(John 15:5 NIV). “…God …works in ...[them]...
TO WILL and TO ACT in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
“…it is God which worketh in [his servants]…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
“…NOT that [his servants]… are ADEQUATE IN [THEMSELVES]… to
consider anything as coming from [themselves]… but [THEIR]… ADEQUACY IS FROM
GOD (the indwelling Holy Spirit)…”
(2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB). “…Now GOD (the indwelling Holy Spirit) GIVES
[his servants] many kinds of special abilities (gifts and talents) … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… The ... [indwelling]...Holy Spirit ... is the source of ...
all ... [gifts and talents]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…There are different
kinds of service to God …but it is the same GOD WHO “DOES” THE WORK IN AND THROUGH ... [his servants]... who
are his [to offer gifts and talents to]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…The Holy Spirit “displays” [his OWN]... power THROUGH each [of his gifted
and talented servants]… … (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT).
“…It is the ... Holy Spirit who gives [his
servants]... all these gifts and powers, deciding which each one of [them]
should have… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).“…It is God
(the indwelling Holy Spirit) who works IN ... [his
servants]…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
“... the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy
servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops
I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t
you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten
some interest on it...’” (Matthew 25:26-27 NLT).
“…The Father
... he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…He helps ... [his servants]…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “.. .[God’s indwelling] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…TRUST in
(and depend upon) the Lord with all thine
heart (with all your gifts and talents); and lean not unto thine own
understanding (lean not on your own worldly efforts, natural powers, or
limitations). In all thy ways acknowledge
him (acknowledge God, the indwelling Holy Spirit), and he shall direct thy
paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).
“…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the
Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “...Now throw this useless servant into outer
darkness, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.’ The Final Judgment...” (Matthew
25:30 NLT).
“…For
thou, Lord, is GOOD…”
(Psalm 86:5 KJV). “… [God, the invisible
Holy Spirit is]... GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “...there
is none good but one, that is,
God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…All he
does (God, the Holy Spirit) is just and GOOD….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT). “...cast
ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth...” (Matthew
25:30 KJV).
The unprofitable servant did
not use his or her spiritual gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God,
but instead chose to neglect and forfeit them based on natural conclusions, limited
powers, or human wisdom. “...those who do
nothing, even what little they have will be taken away...” (Matthew 25:29 NLT). “...the
master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant!...” (Matthew 25:26 NLT).
The unprofitable servant
made choices, upon earth, that resulted in their being rejected from God’s
presence and casted into outer darkness where they would be banished from the
Kingdom of heaven forever. “... ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man,
harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid
I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money
back...’” (Matthew 25:25-26 NLT). “...the master replied, ‘You
wicked and lazy servant!...” (Matthew 25:26 NLT). “...cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth...” (Matthew 25:30 KJV).
WHY? The unprofitable
servant may not have made a profit, but he didn’t steal the money or misuse it
either. It doesn’t SEEM like the servant was a bad person. He DID some things
right, so why such harsh punishment? “... the
master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested
crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t
you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten
some interest on it...’” (Matthew 25:26-27 NLT).
This parable is NOT so much
about DOING or NOT DOING as much as it is about TRUSTING and NOT TRUSTING. The unprofitable servant was given an USEFUL talent (gift).
The REDEEMED are given a USEFUL talent (gift) too. “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy
... [spirit]…” (Acts 2:38 KJV).
“…I can do ALL THINGS through
Christ (by trusting and depending upon Christ) which strengtheneth me …” (Philippians
4:13 KJV).
“…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
“….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“… [God, the indwelling Holy Spirit] is
able TO DO exceeding
abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“…is there any
thing too hard for me (God, the Holy Spirit)?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
“…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…”
(Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “…You
are my helper…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).
The unprofitable servant could
and the redeemed CAN DO whatever they have been CALLED to DO with ONE TALENT
(gift) or many. “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the
(indwelling) Holy ... [spirit]…”
(Acts 2:38 KJV). “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ (the
GIFT by trusting and depending upon him) which strengtheneth me …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…The things which are impossible
with men are possible with God…”
(Luke 18:27 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the
Gift and the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…Jesus Christ (the gift) is in you…”
(2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…
God … work[s] … in … [you] … what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…God … does the work IN and
THROUGH all of us who are his. … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“...To those who use well what they
are given, even more will be given,
and they will have an abundance. But
from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away...” (Matthew 25:29 NLT).
“...To
those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they
will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even
what little understanding they have will be taken away from them...” (Matthew
13:12 NLT).
“..So pay
attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be
given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they
understand will be taken away from them...” (Luke 8:18 NLT).
The REDEEMED who neglect and forfeit the spiritual aspect (the
indwelling Holy Spirit and Power) of their talents, like the unprofitable
servant, they will ultimately deprive
themselves of the BLESSINGS and EMPOWERING abilities of God’s GRACE. “...To those who use well
what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.
But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away...” (Matthew 25:29 NLT).
The redeemed, like the
unprofitable servant, who neglect and forfeit, the offerings of God don’t
actually have their talents “literally” taken
away, but it is their CHOICES that have taken
“them” away. Neglect is what “takes
away” spiritual privileges, benefits, abilities, and blessings. “... But from those who
do nothing (don’t trust in or depend upon God, but NEGLECTS their talent), even
what little they have will be taken away...”
(Matthew 25:29 NLT).
NON-USE of your God-given
talents is LIKE not have them at all and thus they are “taken away” through your OWN neglect and voluntary forfeit.
Those neglected talents won’t
go to waste, but they will be given and awarded to the faithful servant who
chooses to USE them, make them fruitful and multiply them for God’s glory. “...what little they have
will be taken away...” (Matthew
25:29 NLT). “...Then he
ordered, ‘Take the money (talent, gift) from this servant, and give it to the [faithful]
one ...” (Matthew 25:28 NLT).
So the OFFENSE, against God, is not about what
the unprofitable DID or DID NOT do, but it is about what was NEGLECTED. “…As every ... [redeemed]...man (woman) hath received the
gift…” (1 Peter 4:10 KJV). “…Neglect not the gift that is in thee…” (1 Timothy 4:14 KJV).
“...the FLESH profits nothing…”
(John 6:63 NASB). “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy ... [spirit]…”
(Acts 2:38 KJV). “….Apart
from Me (the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…Jesus
Christ is in you…”
(2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…
God … work[s] … in … [you] … what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…God … does the work IN and
THROUGH all of us who are his. … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…Neglect
not
the gift that is in thee…” (1 Timothy 4:14 KJV). The unprofitable servant could NOT
be justified by his actions and neither will the REDEEMED. They are justified
by FAITH or by trusting in and depending upon God, the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“...the FLESH profits nothing…”
(John 6:63 NASB). “... the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy
servant ....why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I
could have gotten some interest (profit) on it...’” (Matthew 25:26-27
NLT).
“...We know that a person is made right with God
by faith (trust in and dependency upon) in Jesus Christ, not by obeying
the law (self-effort) ...no one will ever be made
right with God by obeying the law (self-effort)...” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).
Therefore,
“…You will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). The GIFT of the indwelling Holy Spirit is ALSO, “…the GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “...by the obedience
of one shall many be made righteous...” (Romans 5:19 KJV). “... We
have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of
our faith (trust in and dependency upon) in Christ, not because we have
obeyed the law (through self-effort)...” (Galatians 2:16 NLT). “...the
FLESH profits nothing…” (John 6:63
NASB).
“… if righteousness [could]
come by the law (self-effort), then Christ is dead in
vain…” (Galatians 2:20-21
KJV). However, “….not having a
righteousness of my own … but
that which is through faith in Christ…”
(Philippians 3:9 NASB).
“...the righteousness which comes from God on the
basis of faith…” (Philippians 3:9 NASB). “…The Father (the Holy SPIRIT)
that dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works (of
righteousness)…” (John 14:10 KJV). “...the FLESH profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).
“...Dear
children, DON'T
LET "ANYONE" DECEIVE YOU ABOUT THIS: When people do what is right (by faith), it shows that they are
righteous, even as Christ is righteous...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT). “...the
FLESH profits nothing…” (John 6:63
NASB). “…You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). “… [Also]...
the GIFT of righteousness…”
(Romans 5:17 KJV).
“… It is … [the]...Holy Spirit who gives all these gifts… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY
SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of [his servants] …” (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… [God’s
people shall] serve as signs (witnesses of God’s indwelling
POWER)... from the Lord…”
(Isaiah 8:18 NLT). “…A man can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him from heaven…”
(John 3:27 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…”
(Psalms 85:12 KJV). “…Every good GIFT and every
perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though
it were not a gift?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…the GIFT of righteousness…”
(Romans 5:17 KJV). “...When people do what is right (by faith), it shows that they are
righteous, even as Christ is righteous...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT). “...the
FLESH profits nothing…” (John 6:63
NASB).
“…Neglect
not
the gift that is in thee…” (1 Timothy 4:14 KJV). “…Jesus
Christ is in you…”
(2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…
God … work[s] … in … [you] … what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
God
was WELL aware of mankind’s inadequacies and so he GAVE them GIFTS. “…The trouble is with me, for I am all too
human, a slave to [the sin nature].
…I don’t really understand myself, for I
want to [do what is pleasing to God] …but
I don’t [allow myself to depend upon God’s indwelling Spirit]... Instead, I
do what I hate ...I want to [ please God] … [which]… is right, BUT I CAN’T…Who
will free me from
this life that is dominated by [spiritual neglect]?”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“…NOT that [his
servants]… are ADEQUATE IN [THEMSELVES]… to consider anything as coming from [themselves]…
but [THEIR]… ADEQUACY IS FROM GOD (the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB).
“…The invisible [Holy Spirit]…from the creation of the world is … [his] eternal power…[and]... divine nature…[has been] …clearly seen …” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “... So they have no excuse for not
knowing God...” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
The unprofitable servant or
the redeemed can NOT have excuses for NOT using their God-given talents
(gifts). Using THE GIFT did NOT merely depend upon their own self-efforts, or
their human abilities, or man-made opportunities, nor was it limited to human
knowledge or wisdom. “... For ever since the
world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God
made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine
nature. So
they have no excuse for not knowing God...” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
The responsibility of the
unprofitable servant was and the responsibility of the redeemed is in their
DECISION to trust in and depend upon the
indwelling Holy Spirit and God’s POWER. “...the gift of
Christ…”
(Ephesians 4:7 KJV). “…We have this treasure (the
indwelling GIFT) “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). “…Thanks
be unto God for his unspeakable GIFT…” (2 Corinthians
9:16 KJV).
“... the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy
servant .......’” (Matthew 25:26-27 NLT). “…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto
life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “...the gift of
Christ…”
(Ephesians 4:7 KJV).
“...Now throw this useless servant
into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.’ The Final Judgment...” (Matthew
25:30 NLT).
The LACK of trust in and
dependency upon God’s multitude of OFFERINGS and BLESSINGS is the result of a
lifetime of missed opportunities, wasted spiritual talents (gifts), neglected
covenant privileges, forfeited graces and favors, and blatant rebellion against
God. “…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto
life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “...the gift of
Christ…” (Ephesians
4:7 KJV). “... So
they have no excuse for not knowing God...” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
“…The flesh profiteth nothing…”
(John 6:63 KJV).
“…Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV).
The unprofitable servant said: “... ‘Master, I
knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering
crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose
your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back...’”
(Matthew 25:25-26 NLT). “...the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant!...” (Matthew 25:26 NLT). “...cast
ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth...” (Matthew 25:30 KJV).
God GAVE his ALL!! . “…God so loved the
world that HE GAVE his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV). God “…spared not his own
Son, but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).
“.. .[Jesus]... said, It is
finished (I went ALL IN. I have provided the atoning sacrifice)…”
(John 19:28-30 KJV). “….Christ
pleased not himself…” (Romans 15:3 KJV). “… I [laid] down my life... [AS COMMANDED] …” (John
10:17-18 KJV). Jesus “… give His
life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “… HE WAS
[spiritually] RICH, yet
for your sakes he became [spiritually] poor,
that ye through his poverty might be
[spiritually] RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “… I [laid] down my life... No one [took] it from me, but I [laid] it down of
my own accord (my choice). …” (John 10:17-18
KJV).
“... [Jesus]... said, It is finished …”
(John 19:28-30 KJV). “… [HE WENT “ALL IN”] ...to give
His life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “…
REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…”
(Acts 3:19 NASB). ACCEPT the “...the gift of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:7 KJV). “... [you will]... have no excuse
for not knowing God...” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
“...To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and
they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little
they have will be taken
away...” (Matthew 25:29 NLT).
“...He cuts off every branch
of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear
fruit so they will produce even more...” (John 15:2 NLT).
“...
[you will]... have no excuse for not knowing God...” (Romans 1:20 NLT). “...the master replied, ‘You
wicked and lazy servant!...” (Matthew 25:26 NLT). “...cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth...” (Matthew 25:30 KJV).
“…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the
Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…” (Psalm 86:5 KJV). “…
[God, the invisible Holy Spirit is]... GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “...there
is none good but one, that is,
God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…All he (God,
the Holy Spirit) does is just and GOOD….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT).
God
“….is... NOT
WILLING that any should perish, but that ALL should come to
repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). SO “…The Son of man came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…”
(Luke 19:10 KJV).
“..[BUT]...the HEART of the sons of men is
fully set in them to do (continue to do) evil….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).
“…[And]...the
wicked shall perish….” (Psalm 37:14, 15, & 21 KJV). “…EXCEPT ...[all
mankind]... REPENT ... [they] ... shall all likewise PERISH…”
(Luke 13:3 KJV).
“... EVERYONE
(NO EXCEPTIONS) who practices sin also practices
lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness ... the one who practices sin is of the devil ... By
this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious:
anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of GOD...”
(1 John 3:7-10 NASB).
“…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,
his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV).
“..God “….is... NOT WILLING that any should perish,
but that ALL should come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). SO
“…The Son of man came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…”
(Luke 19:10 KJV). “…All he (God, the Holy Spirit) does is just and
GOOD….” (PSALMS 111:7
NLT).
“…My
people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of
their evil hearts...”
(Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “...the people
replied … We will continue to
live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “....[Their]... HEART[S are] ...fully set
(determined) in them to (continue to do) evil….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).
“…Choose you this day
whom ye will serve (obey)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
“…
[Nonetheless]... thy heart is not right in the sight
of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV). “... the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NASB). “...[Therefore]....cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer
darkness: there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth...” (Matthew 25:30 KJV).
“...
[you will]... have no excuse for not knowing God...” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
